Damburneya salicifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nectandra salicifolia
• Persea salicifolia
• Nectandra cayoana
• Nectandra loeseneri
• Laurus granadensis
• Nectandra sanguinea var. angustifolia
• Nectandra sanguinea var. lanceolata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Laurales. Finally, it is a member of the family Lauralaceae and is situated in the genus Damburneya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across various regions of Mexico, showcasing a broad ecological range. In the central part of the country, it can be found throughout Mexico Central. Its presence extends to the eastern coastlines and inland areas of Mexico Northeast and Mexico Gulf. Additionally, the species inhabits the arid and mountainous terrains of Mexico Northwest. Finally, the plant is also documented growing within the landscapes of Mexico Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Damburneya salicifolia is fundamentally defined by its preference for forest environments, where it integrates into the complex structural layers of the woodland ecosystem. Within these forested habitats, the species thrives under specific microclimatic conditions, often benefiting from the filtered light, stabilized soil moisture, and nutrient-rich organic matter provided by the forest floor and canopy cover. Its presence in these areas suggests an evolutionary adaptation to the shaded or semi-shaded niches characteristic of forest biomes, where it plays a role in the local biodiversity by interacting with specific soil microbiota and potentially serving as a component of the understory vegetation.

Habitat :

forest

Morphology

The morphology of Damburneya salicifolia is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 23 meters. Functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite, the species exhibits a terrestrial habit, categorized across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial spectrums. While it possesses the structural integrity to be classified as self-supporting in terms of its climbing mechanics—distinguishing it from obligatory or facultative vines and lianas—it maintains a primary terrestrial existence rather than acting as an epiphyte. Its structural composition is distinctly woody, supporting its significant vertical stature within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

23 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Damburneya salicifolia is characterized by specific structural adaptations in its vegetative tissues, particularly regarding its stem and leaf density profiles. The stem specific density (SSD) exhibits moderate values, with a mean density of 425 mg/cm³, ranging from a minimum of 390 mg/cm³ to a maximum of 460 mg/cm³. This density profile suggests a balanced approach to mechanical support and resource allocation within the stem architecture. Regarding its foliar traits, the plant demonstrates a highly consistent leaf dry matter content (LDMC), which remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 428.9 mg/g, indicating a stable concentration of organic matter within the leaf tissues. Furthermore, the Specific Leaf Area (SLA) is notably uniform, maintaining a consistent value of 161.5 cm²/g across its minimum, mean, and maximum measurements. This lack of variance in SLA and LDMC suggests a highly specialized and stabilized leaf morphology, optimized for its specific environmental niche and metabolic requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

428.9 mg/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

161.5 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) max:

460 mg/cm³

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

425 mg/cm³

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

390 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Damburneya salicifolia is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological variations in both size and weight. The seeds produced by this species demonstrate a notable range in length, spanning from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 15 mm, with an average seed length of 9.5 mm. Regarding the mass of the seeds, the data indicates a highly uniform distribution, as both the minimum, maximum, and mean seed mass are recorded at a constant value of 0.111 g. This combination of variable longitudinal dimensions and consistent mass provides key parameters for understanding the dispersal and germination potential of the species.

Seed length max:

15 mm

Seed length mean:

9.5 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.111 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Damburneya salicifolia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Damburneya salicifolia has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include COSTARICINE.

COSTARICINE

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Damburneya salicifolia has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial.

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of natural products